Cleat stacker



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CLEAT STACKER Filed June 4, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 2l, 1967 w. J. HOGAN ETAL CLEAT STACKER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 4, 1964 Sl NSY ENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,305,104 CLEAT STACKER William J. Hogan and Thomas P. Coulthard, Dover, NJ., assignors to Stapling Machines Co., Rockaway, NJ., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 4, 1964, Ser. No. 372,601 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) The present invention relates to a machine for stacking cleats, for example mitered cleats of the type used in wirebound boxes, in bundles comprising a plurality of layers of equal numbers of cleats arranged side by side, so that the cleats may be securely strapped for convenient handling, shipment and storage. The machine is particularly adapted for receiving the cleats directly lfrom the cleat saws, for example mitering saws, from which the cleats issue continually in a column, arranged side -by side and moving at right angles to the long axes of the cleats.

The machine selects from the leading end of the column successive groups of cleats containing equal numbers of contiguous cleats; in the illustrative machine shown and described herein, this selected group of cleats is moved into the machine at an accelerated rate, while the movement of the succeeding cleats in the column is interrupted. When the selected group of cleats arrives at the proper location in the machine, their forward movement is stopped and a cleat-lifting element engages and lifts them upwardly into the lower end of a cleat stacking hopper having at its lower end latches which move out of the path of the upwardly moving cleats to permit them to pass into the hopper and then move back into position to support the cleats in the hopper. This operation is repeated until the desired number of layers of cleats has accumulated in the hopper, whereupon a switch is automatically actuated to cause the stack of cleats to be pushed laterally out of the hopper and supported at a bundling station Where they are exposed for securing of a strap around the bundle. Cleat delivery elements, driven under control of the operator, may also be provided for delivering the strapped bundle out of the machine.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a more or less diagrammatic longitudinal view of the right-hand side of a machine embodying features of the invention, positioned at the delivery end of the conveyor chain of a miter cleat sawing machine.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view showing, at a somewhat enlarged scale, the right-hand side of the machine of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of the portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 2, at the same scale as FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of the receiving end of the machine, as viewed from the side appearing at the left in FIGURE 2, at a further slightly enlarged scale.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section view, on a still larger scale, taken on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 3 with some parts broken away to reveal the inner construction.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section View, on the same scale as FIGURE 5, taken on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 3, with slight overlapping with the portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 5 to facilitate visualization of the relation of the two figures to the overall machine.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top plan view at an enlarged scale, of the portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical section view taken on the line 8 8 FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism indicated by arrow A A of FIG- URE 5.

3302EA@ Patented Feb. 21, 196i? FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism indicated by arrow B B of FIGURE 5, showing in full lines and broken lines the extended and retracted positions, respectively, of the latch members at the bottom of the hopper.

FIGURE 1l is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism indicated by arrow C C of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 12 is an isometric view of a stack of cleats, as assembled in the hopper of the machine and secured by a manually attached steel strap.

FIGUR-E 13 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical control circuit of the machine.

As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 4, the supporting framework of the present machine includes channel members 2 and 4 extending longitudinally at either side of the machine with channel member 2 secured to vertical posts 6 and 8 at the right-hand side of the machine (the nearer side as viewed in FIGURES l, 2, and 3) and channel member 4 secured to vertical posts 1i) and l2 at the lefthand side of the machine. The structure is substantially braced crosswise and lengthwise by support members of the several mechanisms of the machine, as will be noted hereinafter as these mechanisms are described, as well as by transversely extending braces I4 and 16 (FIGURE 3) and by transverse members 18 which support a partial oor 2i).

As may be seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, adjacent the inner face of channel member 2 there is a cleat delivery mechanism generally designated 22, and opposed thereto is a duplicate but reversed mechanism generally designated 24 which may be adjusted transversely of the machine to accommodate between the two mechanisms cleats of various lengths.

The ends of incoming cleats are maintained in alignment by guide plates 26 and 28 extending the full length of the machine, guide member 26 being secured to the inner faces of posts 3 and 9 and guide member 28 being secured to the inner faces of posts 11 and 13 of the trans- -versely adjustable delivery mechanism 24. As shown in FIGURE 3, guide plates 26 and 28 are iiared at their input ends to guide the cleats into proper alignment between them and, near the point where the flaring commences, they support upwardly projecting brackets 30 `which, as shown in FIGURE 5, are vertically slotted to receive bolts for adiustably supporting pivotally mounted presser members 34 which project horizontally outward and rest upon the incoming cleats. To support the cleats near their ends as they enter and move within the machine, they are provided elongated rails 36 which, as shown in FIGURE 5, are adjustably supported by pads 38 at the underside thereof which cooperate with pads 4i) secured to the upper surface of hase members 54 to form clamps which are adjustably secured about the transverse brace members 14 and 16 (see also FIGURE 3).

As shown in FIGURE 5, to the outer face of the upwardly projecting portion at the left-hand ends of the base members 54 are pivotally mounted the right-hand ends of cleat support rails 42 whose upper surface is aligned with that of a pair of rails R (FIGURE 1) projecting from the output end of the delivery chains R1 of the cleat forming saws.

As also shown in FIGURE 5, projecting downwardly from the pivotally mounted right-hand ends of the cleat support rails 42 are integral legs 44 whose |lower ends are pivotally connected to the piston rods 46 of air cylinders 48 mounted on plates 50 which are pivotally attached to hanger members 52 projecting downwardly from base members 54. In the event of a cleat jam, the air cylinders 48 are actuated by manual operation of an electric switch A (FIGURE 13) which energizes a solenoid A1 to cause compressed air to flow into air cylinders 43. This moves their piston rods 46 and the attached -depending :legs 44 outwardly, in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIGURES 2 and 5, raising the outer ends of cleat support rails 42 above the path of the incoming column of cleats, thereby preventing the further feeding of cleats into the machine.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 4, and 5, located in the lower part of the machine are a pair of spaced horizontal base members 56, the right-hand ends being bolted to the lower ends of a pair of vertically extending hangers 57 of the cleatJlifting mechanism to be described hereinafter. Adiustably mounted adjacent the outwardly projecting lefthand ends of base members 56 is a vertical plate member 58 provided with clamping elements for supporting an air cylinder 60 whose piston rod 62 has threaded into its upper end the head portion of a T-shaped body member 64 (FIGURE 9). Pivotally attached to said head portion by bolts 66 in an inverted U-shaped member 63 to which is secured a pair of spaced fingers 70, which project upwardly into the path of the cleats as they move into the machine on the rails 36. Adjacent the lower ends of the legs of the inverted U-shaped member 68 are threaded a pair of adjustable switch-actuating screws 72. To either side of the stem portion of the T-shaped body member 64 are attached plates 74 which support electric switches 76 and 77 (FIGURE 9). Said stern portion is provided with a bushed hole 78 through which slidably extends a rod 80 xed in and projecting upwardly from a block 82 (FIGURE 5) which is secured at the upper end of the face of the plate member S opposite to that on which air cylinder 60 is mounted.

When a solid column of cleats, extending all the way back to the driven input conveyor R1 (FIGURE l) has accumulated in the machine, sufficient pressure is imposed against the fingers 70 (FIGURE 5) to cause the inverted U-shaped member 68 to rock clockwise, and its screws 72 (FIGURE 9) to depress the plungers of switches 76 and 77.

Additional mechanism which cooperates with that just described is best shown in FIGURES 3, 5, and 7. This mechanism includes a pair of spaced side walls 84 suspended above and to the left of fingers 70 by a pair of transversely extending bars 86 supported at the upper ends of arms 88 secured to and extending upwardly from the upper ilanges of channel members 2 and 4 (FIGURES 1, 2, and 3). The side Walls 84 are adjustably secured on bars 86 by plates 90 which are bolted to the upper ends of spacers 92, which `straddle bars 86, with their lower ends bolted to the upper faces of side walls 84. The side walls 84 are lixed in proper transverse position by set screws 94 (FIGURE 5) threaded through plates 90 and bearing against the upper edges of the bars 86.

As best shown in FIGURE 8, secured to the inner face of the right-hand portion of each of the side walls 84 (FIGURES 5, 7, and S) are a pair of horizontal rails 96 which are vertically spaced to receive between them rollers 98 attached to a carriage assembly 100 (also shown in FIGURE 3) which supports at its center an upstanding plate 102 (FIGURE 7) with a cross arm 104 thereon. Attached to the right-hand face of plate 102, as viewed in FIGURE 5, is an air cylinder 106 which, as show-n in FIGURE 8, has threaded on the downwardly projecting end of its piston rod 108 a block 110 whose lower end rests within a shallow groove 112 in the upper surface of a horizontal plate 114 having threaded into and projecting downwardly from its llower surface adjacent either end a series of spaced spikes 116. Also projecting downwardly from plate 114 is an inverted L- shaped push member 118 which is resiliently mounted on plate 114 by compression springs 120 coiled about upstanding studs 122 threaded in the upper surface of plate 114, said springs being interposed between bosses 124 at the upper surface of push member 11S and nuts 126 adjustably threaded on studs 122.

As may be seen in FIGURES 2, 3, and 5, pivotally secured to the left-hand end of carriage assembly is the piston rod 132 of an air cylinder 128 which is pivotally anchored to a transverse brace member extending between the side walls 34. At the right-hand end of the movement of the carriage assembly 100 by the air cylinder 128, adjustable screws 134 and 135 carried by cross arm 104 contact and actuate electric switches 136 and 137 mounted atop the aforementioned plate member 90 at the right-hand end of side walls S4 (FIGURES 5 and 7). At the left-hand end of the travel of the carriage assembly 100, which is its normal position of rest, an adjustable screw 13S threaded in the left-hand face of the body portion of carriage assembly 100 is in actuating engagement with the plunger of an electric switch 140 mounted on the inner face of the nearer side wall 84.

As may be seen in FIGURES 2, 5, and 7, attached to the outer faces of side walls 84 opposite the normal, retracted position of carriage assembly 100 is a pair of longitudinally adjustable plates 142. Pivotally mounted and extending downwardly from plates 142 are arms 144 which are yieldably retained with their lower ends inclined slightly toward the left, and with their left-hand edges bearing against studs 146 threaded in the outer face of adjustable plates 142, by tension springs 148 hooked about studs 150 threaded in the |lower left-hand portions of plates 142 and about studs 152 threaded in arms 144. Also supported on arms 144 are air cylinders 154 which have adjustably mounted on the lower ends of their piston rods 156 flat bars 158 having projecting from their lower faces short rods 160 whose upper end portions are slidably supported in guide blocks 162 fastened to plates 144 and whose downwardly ends have threaded therein sharpened spikes 164.

To describe the operation of the mechanism described up to this point, let it be assumed that the start switch (FIGURE 13) has been manually actuated, energizing main drive motor 166 (also shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3), thereby driving the magnetic clutch and brake units 168 and 170 through appropriate sprocket and chain connections.

As may be seen in FIGURE 13, actuation of switch 76 by pressure of the cleats against lingers 70 (FIGURES 5 and 9) energizes several circuit elements including coil T of a time delay relay, relay coil F, solenoid valve P and solenoid valve R. Energization of solenoid valve P supplies compressed air to air cylinder 106 (FIGURE 5), causing its piston rod 108 to move downwardly and drive spikes 116 into the upper surface of the trailing cleat of a selected group of cleats at the leading end of the column of cleats to the left of lingers '70, the number of cleats in said selected group depending upon the adjusted position of carriage assembly 100.

Energization of solenoid valve R reverses the air Connections to air cylinder 60 (FIGURE 5), causing its piston rod 62 to move downwardly and retract tingers 70 from the path of the selected group of cleats.

Energization of relay coil F closes its contacts F1, F2, and F3. Contacts F1 vform a holding circuit Varound switch 76, thus holding relay coil F energized through the normally closed switch 136, even after release Vof the switch 76. Contacts F2 close a circuit to energize relay coil C through an electric switch 140 (see also FIGURE 7) `which is initially held closed by the adjustable screw 138 at the left end of carriage assembly 100. Contacts F3 close a circuit to energize solenoids G1 and G2 through contact T1 of coil T of the time delay relay, thereby supplying compressed air to cylinders 154 (FIGURES 5 and 7) causing their piston rods 156 to move downwardly and drive their spikes 164 into the leading cleat of the supply column of cleats immediately following the selected group of cleats mentioned above. Solenoids G1 and G2 remain energized until the present time of the time delay relay expires and contacts T1 open, deenergiz-` ing solenoids G1 and G2, and thereby reversing the air connections to air cylinders 154, and causing their piston rods 156 to retract, thus releasing their spikes 164 from the leading cleat of the supply column of cleats.

Energization of relay coil C closes its contacts C1 and C2. Contacts C1 complete a holding circuit for the relay coil C through the normally closed switch 137. Contacts C2 close a circuit to energize solenoid C3, thereby supplying compressed air to cylinder 128 (FIGURE 5), causing its piston rod 132 to project outwardly and move carriage member 108 and the attached cleat pushing element with its spikes 116 imbedded in the trailing cleat of the selected group of cleats a short distance into the machine on rails 36 at an accelerated rate, while the spikes 164 of the cleat stopping element actuated by air cylinder 154 momentarily retard further movement of the supply column of cleats. The switch 140, which is initially held closed by the adjustable screw 138 on carriage assembly 100, while the carriage assembly is in its retracted position, serves the function of preventing multiple operation of the air cylinder 128 with resulting multiple movement of carriage assembly i) due to vibrational closing of electrical switch 76.

As the carriage 160 completes its stroke, switches 136 and 137 (FIGURES 3 and 5) are respectively actuated by adjustable screws 134 and 135 (FIGURE 8) on cross bar 104. As shown in FIGURE 13, opening of electrical switch 136 causes the time delay relay coil T to be deenergized, permitting contacts T1 to reset. Coil F is thereby deenergized, opening its contacts F1, F2, and F3. Opening of contacts F1 breaks the holding circuit for coil F, and the opening of contacts F2 and electric switch 137 breaks the circuit to relay coil C, thus opening its contacts C1 and S2. Opening of contacts F3 prevents solenoids G1 and G2 from being energized upon resetting of the normally closed contacts T1 of the time delay relay T. Opening of switch 136 also deenergizes solenoids P and R. The deenergization of solenoid P reverses the air connections to air cylinder 128 (FIGURE 5), causing its piston rod 132 and the associated mechanism to retract to their initial positions. The deenergization of solenoid R reverses the connections to air cylinder 6i), causing its piston rod 62 to move upward slowly due to a flow control valve (not shown) in the air line, thus projecting the fingers 70 into the path of the supply column of cleats.

The opening of contacts F2 and of switch 137 breaks the holding circuit to relay coil C, opening its contacts C1 and C2. Opening of contacts C2 breaks the circuit to solenoid V, thereby reversing the air connections to air cylinder 128 (FIGURE 5) causing its piston rod 132 to retract, withdrawing carriage 11M) to its left-hand position. As stated hereinabove, the clockwise rocking of ngers 70 by pressure of the oncoming cleats actuates electric switches 76 and 77, deenergizing brake 176 and energizing clutch 178 (FIGURE 3) of magnetic clutch and brake unit 168. Said clutch has a driving connection, through sprockets and chains, to a shaft 180, which rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 5, and drives a pair of spaced, short conveyor chains 182 (FIGURE 3, 5 and 7) which are trained about sprockets 184 keyed to shaft 180 and sprockets 186 rotatably supported on short shafts 188. Conveyor chains 182 bear push blocks 19t) (FIGURE 5) which are arranged to contact the cleat at the trailing end of the selected group of cleats and carry them forward within spring finger 194 and actuates an electric switch 196 mounted on guide member 26. As shown in FIGURE 13, actuation of switch 196 throws its movable contact to the upper position, deenergizing clutch 178 and energizing brake 176 of the magnetic clutch and brake unit 168 (FIGURE 3) and stopping movement of the conveyor chains 182. Simultaneously therewith, the cleat at the leading end of the selected group of cleats contacts finger 198 (FIGURE 6) pivotally mounted on the inner face of a bracket 200 bolted to the inner face of guide member 26 at the right-hand side of the machine (FIGURE 6). This causes nger 198 to rock clockwise against the resistance of a tension spring 202 and actuate an electric switch 204 mounted on the inner face of bracket 200. As shown in FIGURE 13, the resulting closure of switch 204 completes the circuit to relay coil B causing its contacts B1 and B2 to close.

Contacts B1 complete a holding circuit for relay coil B. Contacts B2 complete a circuit for solenoid valve W which supplies air to an air cylinder 230 (FIGURE 6) causing it to actuate a cleat lifting mechanism now to be described.

As best s'hown in FIGURE 6, the cleat lifting mechanism includes a pair of spaced side walls 206 which are suitably braced and are adjustably supported at their lower left-hand ends by a pair of spaced, freely rotating rollers 208 riding upon a transverse brace bar 210 secured to the inner faces of channel members 2 and 4 (FIGURES 3 and 4) and at their right-hand ends by a pair of freely rotating rollers 212 riding upon a transverse brace bar 214 attached to plates 215 (FIGURE 3) secured to the inner side of posts 8 and 12. Fastened to the upper surfaces of the left-hand portions of the side walls 206 (FIGURE 6) is a horizontal support `plate 216 (FIGURE 6) provided with bushed holes in which are slidably mounted vertical guide rods 218 whose upper ends are secured to a push plate 220 fastened to the upper surface of a backing plate 222. The backing plate 222 has integrally attached to its -undersurface a short, depending leg 224 extending freely downward through a large diameter lhole 226 in support plate 216. Pivota-lly attached to the lower end of leg 224 is the upper end yof the piston rod 228 of an air cylinder 230 `whose lower end is pivotally anchored to the u-p-standing portion 232 of a transverse brace member 234 (FIGURE 2) which is bolted to the inner faces of the hanger members 57 whose upper ends are secured to the outer faces of side walls 206.

As shown in FIGURE 6 adjacent its opposite end, the nearer side wall 206 has integrally secured to its outer face a hanger member 238 which 'has attached to its inner face at its lower end a block 240 with bushed holes 242. Hanger member 57 is provided with a similar bushed hole and rotatably mounted in said holes is an adjusting shaft 244 having keyed to its outer, right-hand end a Ihand wheel 246. Shaft 244 also has keyed to it at spaced positions along its length a pair of pinion gears 248 meshing with racks 250 secured along the bottom edges of the inner faces of transverse braces 210 and 214 to provide means whereby the sidewall 206 and the attached mechanism may be adjusted transversely of t-he machine to accommodate cleats of different lengths. When this mechanism is properly positioned, the push plate 220 is centered transversely of the cleats and projects beyond the first and last cleat of the selected group of cleats.

When air is supplied to air cylinder 230, its piston rod 228 moves upwardly, causing push plate 226 to contact and raise che group of cleats thereon past a latch member 254 (FIGURES 6 and 10) which is pivotally mounted on an elongated flat bar 256 fastened to the inner faces of posts 11 and 13 of the cleat delivery mechanism generally designated 24 in FIGURE 3. A similar latching assembly (not shown) is also carried by the cooperating cleat delivery mechanism generally designated 22 in FIGURE 3.

As may be seen in FIGURE l0, the latch member 254 is of such shape as to lie within an angular recess 262 in the lower portion of bar 256 when the latch member is moved upwardly by the row of cleats to allow them to pass by. Then latch member 254 returns freely to its normal position to rest atop guide member 28. The latch member on the opposite bar 256 operates in similar fashion, normally resting on guide member 26.

As shown in FIGURE 6, projecting downwardly from the rearward end of base plate 222 is an elongated L-shaped bracket 263. As piston rod 223 of air cylinder 23) reaches the end of its upward stroke, an adjustable screw 264 in the lower end of bracket 263 actuates switch 252. As shown in FIGURE 13, actuation of switch 252 breaks the circuit to relay coil B, opening its contacts B1 and B2. Opening of contacts B prevents the circuit from resetting, and the opening of contacts B2 deenergizes solenoid W, thereby reversing the air connections to air cylinder 236 (FIGURE 6), causing its piston rod 228 and push plate 226 to retract, lowering the group of cleats so that it comes to rest upon latch members 254, as shown in FIGURE 10.

To accommodate cleats of different lengths, posts 11 and 13 (FIGURES 3 and 6) and the attached cleat deilivery mechanism 24are transversely movable as a unit, by means of an adiusting mechanism including flange members 336 and 338 (FIGURES 3 and 4) secured to the inner face of .posts l1 and 13 respectively, and having adjacent their upper corners freely rotating rollers 34) (FIGURE 4) riding upon transverse brace bars 210 and 214 (FIGURE 6). Adjacent the lower corners of che ange mem ers 336 and 338 are bushed holes in which is rotatably supported an adjusting shaft 342 having keyed to its outer end a hand wheel 344. Adjusting shaft 342 also has keyed to it pinion gears 346 meshing wit-h racks 250 secured to the lower edges of brace bars 210 and 214.

The operation of lifting successive selected gro-ups of cleats in the hopper assembly above the latch members 254 is repeated until the stack lof cleats in the hopper assembly contains a predetermined numbers of layers and, as the final group is added to the stack and wfhile piston rod 228 of air cylinder 230 is at the upward end of its stroke, a spring finger 266 (FIGURES 2 and 6) is contacted by the upper surface of the stack of cleats, actuating an electric switch 268 (FIGURE 6). As shown in FIG- URE 13, actuation of switch 26S closes the circuit to energize relay coil D and close its contacts D1 and D2. Closure of contacts D1 completes a holding circuit for Vrelay coil D in parallel with switch 268. Closure of contacts D2 permits relay coil E to be energized when the piston rod 228 (FIGURE 6) of air cylinder 236 and the attached push plate 220 retract to their initial lower position, allowing switch 26S to return to its normal position. Energization of coil E closes its contacts El and opens its normally closed contacts E2, thereby opening the circuit to the brake 270 (FIGURE 3) of magnetic clutch `and brake unit 175i and energizing its clutch 272. After one revolution of the shaft 273, a switch 274 is actuated by a short finger 276 attached to the outer face of sprocket 278 also shown in FIGURE l1. Clutch 272 imparts clockwise rotation to shaft 286 (FIGURE through the chain 232 which is trained about the clutch sprocket 278 and the sprocket 234 keyed to shaft 280.

Mounted on shaft y280 adjacent the left-hand side of posts 9 and 1I are gear boxes 23S (FIGURES 2, 4 and 5) driving the lower ends of vertical shafts 290 and 292, rotating shaft 294) clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 3, and shaft 292 counter-clockwise. The shafts 290 and 292 are journaled in bearings 294 (FIGURES 2 and 5) secured to posts 9 and 11 and have keyed adjacent their upper ends sprockets 296 (FIGURES 5 and 7) which have chains 29S trained about them and about sprockets 309 free to rotate on short upstanding shafts 302 fixed in adjustable clamping elements 364 secured to the outer faces of posts 8 and 13 (FIGURE 6) at the output end of the machine. Chains 29S have attached to their outer faces short, vertical plates 306, forming belt-like conveyors generally designated 308 (FIGURES 5, 6 and 7).

As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, mounted to the faces of plate 306 are spring loaded flange members 310 and fixed flanged members 312 which are adjustably spaced therefrom and cooperate with similar spaced flanges (not shown) on the other cleat delivery mechanism 22 (FIG- URE 3) to form the hopper arrangement which laterally contines the stack of cleats until it is completed. During the one revolution of clutch 272 of magneic clutch and brake unit 170, the belt-like conveyors 308 move the completed stack of cleats toward the right-hand end of the machine supported on elongated rails 314 (FIGURES 3 and 6) mounted at the inner faces of guide members 26 and 28, with the stack of cleats being guided endwise by wide vertical plates 334 to a point near the right-hand ends of the travel of the belt-like conveyors 39S. When the stack of cleats reaches this point, the conveyors 368 are stopped by the actuation of switch 274 (FIGURES 3 and il), as previously described. As shown in FIGURE 13, actuation of switch 274 breaks the circuit to relay coil D, opening its contacts DI and D2. Opening of contacts D2 deenergizes relay coil E, which opens its contacts El and closes its contacts E2, disengaging clutch 272 (see also FIGURE 3) of magnetic clutch and brake unit 170 and applying brake 270` As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, supported near the output end of the machine is a pair of horizontal supporting rods 316. Since the structure and function of the two rods are similar, only the rod at the left-hand side of the machine need be described.

Rod 3I6 has a protector ball 318 at its outer end and is supported for longitudinal sliding movement in hushed holes of blocks 32) secured to the underside of bar 314. Adjacent the outer end of rod 3116 there is secured a depending short leg 32I to which is pivotally fastened a clevis member 322 threaded on the end of the piston rod 324 of an air cylinder 326 which extends horizontally beneath a cutaway portion of guide member 28, with its forward end pivotally anchored to a plate member 328 fastened to the lower portion of guide member 2S at the end of its cutaway portion within the machine. A foot switch 33@ (shown only in FIGURE 13) is positioned on the door for actuation by foot pressure applied by the operator prior to binding the pile of cleats into bundleV form, for example by placing a steel strap S about the bundle, as shown in FIGURE 12.

As may be seen in FIGURE 13, actuation of switch' 330 energizes solenoid valve 332, reversing the air connections to air cylinder 326 (FIGURE 6) causing its piston rod 324 to retract and withdraw delivery rod 316 to the position shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6. Thus the operator is permitted to step in close to the pile of cleats while performing the bundling operation, and upon cornpletion thereof, to step aside from the path of rods 316, simultaneously removing pressure from foot switch 330. As shown in FIGURE 13, this deenergizes solenoid valve 332 (FIGURE 13) reversing the air connections to air cylinder 326 (FIGURE 6), and piston rod 324 and the attached rod 316 to move outwardly to their normally extended positions. During the next cycle of the beltlike conveyors 363, the stack of cleats being moved thereby will contact the strapped bundle of cleats and move. it outwardly onto the extended rods 3I6, as shown in FIG- URE 1, for removal by the operator.

It will thus be apparent that the present invention provides a practical apparatus for mechanically stacking cleats so that they may be strapped or otherwise secured to form a convenient package for handling Vin multiple. However, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiment of the invention which is described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings is intended as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and not as exhaustive or restrictive of the scope thereof, which is defined only by the appended claims.

We claim:

I. A machine for stacking cleats comprising a cleat support for slidably supporting said cleats for movement into said machine side by side in a horizontal column, a cleat engaging linger positioned to be engaged and actuated by the leading cleat in said column under the pressure of the oncoming cleats when there has accumulated on said cleat support a solid column of cleats extending back to a driven input conveyor, cleat pushing means movable yto engage the trailing cleat in a selected group of cleats at the leading end of said column and push said selected group of cleats further along said cleat support ahead of the cleats behind them in said column a distance at least equal to the column-wise length of said selected group of cleats, cleat pusher drive means for driving said cleat pushing member, said cleat pusher drive means being controlled by actuation of said cleat engaging finger, a cleat lifting member normally positioned below the level of said selected group of cleats and being reciprocably mounted for engagement with successive selected groups of cleats to raise said cleats upwardly, a cleat hopper mounted above said cleat lifting member for receiving through its lower end and supporting in a vertical stack said successive selected groups of cleats, latch means at the lower end of said hopper and movable between a cleat supporting position for engagement with the bottom layer of cleats in said stack'and a retracted position out of the path of the cleats being moved upwardly into said hopper by said cleat lifting member, cleat lifter drive means for actuating said cleat lifting member, cleat lifter control means for controlling said cleat lifter drive means, said cleat lifter control means being arranged for actuation upon arrival of said selected group of cleats in proper position above said cleat lifting member.

2. A machine for stacking cleats comprising a cleat support for slidably supporting said cleats for movement into said machine side by side in a horizontal column, a cleat engaging finger positioned to -be engaged and actuated by the leading cleat in said column under the pressure of the oncoming cleats when there has accumulated on said cleat support a solid column of cleats eX- tending back to a driven input conveyor, cleat pushing means movable to engage the trailing cleat in a selected group of cleats at the leading end of said column and push said selected group of cleats further along and cleat support ahead of the cleats behind them in said column a distance at least equal to the column-wise length of said selected group of cleats, cleat pusher driver means for driving said cleat pushing means, a cleat stopping member movably mounted for movement between a cleat stopping position at which it engages and stops the movement of the leading cleat of the supply group of cleats immediately following said selected group of cleats in said column and a retracted position clear for said column of cleats, cleat stopper drive means for driving said cleat stopping member for movement between said cleat stopping position and said retracted position, said cleat pusher drive means and said cleat stopper drive means being controlled by actuation of said cleat engaging finger, a cleat lifting member normally positioned below the level of said selected group of cleats and being reciprocably mounted for engagement with successive selected groups of cleats to raise said cleats upwardly, a cleat hopper mounted above said cleat lifting member for receiving through its lower end and supporting in a vertical stack said successive selected groups of cleats, latch means at the lower end of said hopper and movable between a cleat supporting position for engagement with the bottom layer of cleats in said stack and a retracted position out of the path of the cleats being moved upwardly into said hopper by said `cleat lifting member, cleat lifter drive means for actuating said cleat lifting member, and cleat lifter control means for controlling said cleat lifter drive means, said cleat lifter control means being arranged for actuation upon arrival of said selected group of cleats in proper position above said cleat lifting member.

3. A machine for stacking cleats comprising a cleat support for slidably supporting said cleats for movement into said machine side by side in a horizontal column, a cleat engaging finger mounted for movement between a cleat engaging position in the path of the leading cleat in said column and a retracted position clear of said path, cleat finger drive means for moving said cleat engaging i0 finger between said cleat engaging position and said rtracted position, said cleat finger drive means being controlled by actuation of said cleat engaging finger to move said cleat engaging finger from said cleat engaging position to said retracted position, cleat pushing means moveable to engage the trailing cleat in a selected group of cleats at the leading end of said column and push said selected group of cleats further along said cleat support ahead of the cleats behind them in said column a distance at least equal to the column-wise length of said selected group of cleats, cleat pusher drive means for driving said cleat pushing means, said cleat pusher drive means being controlled -by actuation of said cleat engaging finger, a cleat lifting member normally positioned below the level of said selected group of cleats and being reciprocably mounted for engagement with successive selected groups of cleats to raise said cleats upwardly, a cleat hopper mounted above said cleat lifting member for receiving through its lower end and supporting in a vertical stack said successive selected groups of cleats, latch means at the lower end of said hopper and movable between a cleat supporting position for engagement with the bottom layer of cleats in said stack and a retracted position out of the path of the cleats being moved upwardly into said hopper by said cleat lifting member, cleat lifter drive means for actuating said cleat lifting member, and cleat lifter 'control means for controlling said cleat lifter drive means, said icleat lifter control means being arranged for actuation upon arrival of said selected group of cleats in proper position above sai cleat lifting member.

4. A machine for stacking cleats comprising a cleat support for slidably supporting said cleat for movement into said machine side by side in a horizontal column, a cleat engaging finger mounted for movement between a cleat engaging position in the path of the leading cleat in said column and a retracted position clear of said path, cleat finger drive means for moving said cleat engaging finger between said cleat engaging position'and said retracted position, cleat pushing means movable to engage the trailing cleat in a selected group of cleats at the leading end of said column and push said selected group of cleats further along said cleat support ahead of the cleats behind them in said column a distance at least equal to the column-wise length of said selected group of cleats, cleat pusher drive means for driving said cleat pushing means, a cleat stopping member movably mounted for movement between a cleat stopping position at which it engages and stops the movement of the leading cleat of the supply group of cleats immediately following said selected group of cleats in said column and a retracted position clear of said column of cleats, cleat stopper drive means for driving said cleat stopping member for movement between said cleat stopping position and said retracted position, said cleat engaging finger being connected to control operation of said cleat finger drive means, said cleat pusher drive means said cleat stop drive means, whereby actuation of said cleat engaging finger causes movement of said cleat engaging finger to retracted position, movement of said cleat stopping member into cleat stopping position, and pushing of said selected group of cleats by said cleat pushing member, a cleat lifting member normally positioned below the level of said selected group of cleats and being reciprocably mounted for engagement with successive selected groups of cleats to raise said cleats upwardly, a cleat hopper mounted above said cleat lifting member for receiving through its lower end and supporting in a vertical stack said successive selected groups of cleats, latch means at the .lower end of said hopper and movable between a cleat supporting position for engagement with the bottom layer of `cleats in said stack and a retracted position out of the path of the cleats being moved upwardly into said hopper by said cleat lifting member, cleat lifter drive means for actuating said cleat lifting member, and cleat lifter control means for controlling said cleat lifter drive means, said l'cleat lifter control means being arranged for actuation position, cleat pushing means movable to engage the trailing cleat in a selected group of cleats at the leading end of said column selected and push said selected group of cleats further .along said cleat support ahead of the cleats behind them in said column a distance at least equal to the column-wise length of said selected group of cleats, cleat pusher drive means for driving said cleat pushing means, a cleat stopping member movably mounted for movement between a cleat stopping position at which it enga-ges and stops the movement of the leading cleat of the supply group of cleats immediately following said .selected group of cleats in said column and a retracted position clear of said column of cleats, cleat stopper drive Vmeans for driving said cleat stopping member for movement between said cleat stopping position and said retracted position, said cleat engaging linger being connected to control operation of said cleat finger drive means, said cleat pusher drive means and said cleat stop drive means, `whereby actuation of said cleat engaging finger causes movement of said cleat engaging iinger to retracted position, movement of said cleat stopping mem- -ber into cleat stopping position, and pushing of said selected group of cleats by said cleat pushing means, a cleat lifting member normally positioned below the level of said selected group of cleats and being reciprocably mounted for engagement with successive selected groups of cleats to raise said cleats upwardly, a cleat hopper mounted above said cleat lifting member for receiving through its lower end and supporting in a vertical stack said successive selected groups of cleats, latch means at the lower end of said hopper and movable between a cleat supporting position for engagement with the bottom layer of cleats in said stack and a retracted position out of the path of the cleats being moved upwardly into said hopper by said cleat lifting member, cleat lifter drive means for actuating said cleat lifting member, cleat lifter control means for controlling said cleat lifter drive means, said cleat lifter control means being arranged for actuation upon arrival of said selected group of cleats in proper position Iabove said cleat lifting member, cleat delivery means movably mounted for engaging said stack of cleats and moving it laterally out of said hopper, cleat delivery drive means for driving said cleat delivery means, and a cleat stack sensing means mounted at the upper end of said hopper for actuation when said stack of cleats reaches a predetermined height, said cleat stack sensing means being connected for control of said cleat delivery drive means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1964 Luginbuhl 214-85 GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

I. E. OLDS, Assistant Examiner. 

5. A MACHINE FOR STACKING CLEATS COMPRISING A CLEAT SUPPORT FOR SLIDABLY SUPPORTING SAID CLEATS FOR MOVEMENT INTO SAID MACHINE SIDE BY SIDE IN A HORIZONTAL COLUMN, A CLEAT ENGAGING FINGER MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CLEAT ENGAGING POSITION IN THE PATH OF THE LEADING CLEAT IN SAID COLUMN AND A RETRACTED POSITION CLEAR OF SAID PATH, CLEAT FINGER DRIVE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CLEAT ENGAGING FINGER BETWEEN SAID CLEAT ENGAGING POSITION AND SAID RETRACTED POSITION, CLEAT PUSHING MEANS MOVABLE TO ENGAGE THE TRAILING CLEAT IN A SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS AT THE LEADING END OF SAID COLUMN SELECTED AND PUSH SAID SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS FURTHER ALONG SAID CLEAT SUPPORT AHEAD OF THE CLEATS BEHIND THEM IN SAID COLUMN A DISTANCE AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE COLUMN-WISE LENGTH OF SAID SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS, CLEAT PUSHER DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CLEAT PUSHING MEANS, A CLEAT STOPPING MEMBER MOVABLY MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CLEAT STOPPING POSITION AT WHICH IT ENGAGES AND STOPS THE MOVEMENT OF THE LEADING CLEAT OF THE SUPPLY GROUP OF CLEATS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SAID SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS IN SAID COLUMN AND A RETRACTED POSITION CLEAR OF SAID COLUMN OF CLEATS, CLEAT STOPPER DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CLEAT STOPPING MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID CLEAT STOPPING POSITION AND SAID RETRACTED POSITION, SAID CLEAT ENGAGING FINGER BEING CONNECTED TO CONTROL OPERATION OF SAID CLEAT FINGER DRIVE MEANS, SAID CLEAT PUSHER DRIVE MEANS AND SAID CLEAT STOP DRIVE MEANS, WHEREBY ACTUATION OF SAID CLEAT ENGAGING FINGER CAUSES MOVEMENT OF SAID CLEAT ENGAGING FINGER TO RETRACTED POSITION, MOVEMENT OF SAID CLEAT STOPPING MEMBER INTO CLEAT STOPPING POSITION, AND PUSHING OF SAID SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS BY SAID CLEAT PUSHING MEANS, A CLEAT LIFTING MEMBER NORMALLY POSITIONED BELOW THE LEVEL OF SAID SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS AND BEING RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SUCCESSIVE SELECTED GROUPS OF CLEATS TO RAISE SAID CLEATS UPWARDLY, A CLEAT HOPPER MOUNTED ABOVE SAID CLEAT LIFTING MEMBER FOR RECEIVING THROUGH ITS LOWER END AND SUPPORTING IN A VERTICAL STACK SAID SUCCESSIVE SELECTED GROUPS OF CLEATS, LATCH MEANS AT THE LOWER END OF SAID HOPPER AND MOVABLE BETWEEN A CLEAT SUPPORTING POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BOTTOM LAYER OF CLEATS IN SAID STACK AND A RETRACTED POSITION OUT OF THE PATH OF THE CLEATS BEING MOVED UPWARDLY INTO SAID HOPPER BY SAID CLEAT LIFTING MEMBER, CLEAT LIFTER DRIVE MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID CLEAT LIFTING MEMBER, CLEAT LIFTER CONTROL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID CLEAT LIFTER DRIVE MEANS, SAID CLEAT LIFTER CONTROL MEANS BEING ARRANGED FOR ACTUATION UPON ARRIVAL OF SAID SELECTED GROUP OF CLEATS IN PROPER POSITION ABOVE SAID CLEAT LIFTING MEMBER, CLEAT DELIVERY MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED FOR ENGAGING SAID STACK OF CLEATS AND MOVING IT LATERALLY OUT OF SAID HOPPER, CLEAT DELIVERY DRIVE MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CLEAT DELIVERY MEANS, AND A CLEAT STACK SENSING MEANS MOUNTED AT THE UPPER END OF SAID HOPPER FOR ACTUATION WHEN SAID STACK OF CLEATS REACHES A PREDETERMINED HEIGHT, SAID CLEAT STACK SENSING MEANS BEING CONNECTED FOR CONTROL OF SAID CLEAT DELIVERY DRIVE MEANS. 